The raspberry colouring of the egg-shaped bump on Kevin's head was testament to his claim of Adie marking him. He refused to let her heal it, insisting on wearing it as a symbol of their relationship status.

"We are not dating," Adie declared for the tenth time since they started their journey back from the island.

Kevin pointed to his head. "What, so you give everyone a hickey right in the middle of their forehead, the most prominent place possible?"

"I did not give you a hickey."

"Really then what would you call it?"

"I... I don't know, but it's not a hickey."

He chuckled and stepped off the boat as it glided alongside the main jetty. He offered her his hand, pulling her against his chest as she disembarked.

"We're mates, I can feel the bond."

"What the hell does that mean anyway?" she huffed, pushing him out of her personal space.

"It means you're mine."

"Now you see, that right there is why we'll never be in a relationship. I belong to no one and you'd do well to remember it."

Turning her back on him, she walked away, taking the path for the main house. He grabbed the picnic basket and jogged to catch up with her.

"Aww come on babe. I was just saying. Would it make it any better if I said that I belong to you?" He begged, taking hold of her elbow to stop her. He set the basket on the ground at his feet and turned her to face him. "Cause I do you know. I'm yours and nothing will change that." He caressed her cheek, running his thumb over the pale pink scar that marred her otherwise perfect skin. "I love you. I know that sounds stupid considering we've only just met, but that's what happens with a bond."

"This is ridiculous," she countered, removing his hand from her arm. "I'm sorry, Kevin, but I don't feel the same way. I don't just fall in love like that."

He smiled. "Not in love, just love. Whatever you need, friend, lover, playmate or protector, that's what I am. All of the above preferably, but I'll take whatever you're willing to give."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. Closing her eyes against the bright light, she said, "I think I need to get out of the sun. Can we keep this between us for the minute, please? Give me time to get used to the idea at least."

Grinning, he nodded and followed her as far as her room. "You haven't eaten yet. I'll be back in a minute."

He reappeared with the basket of food and, after pushing the bed against the wall, set the remains of the picnic on the spread out blanket. Sitting down at his insistence, she realized she was in fact starving and proceeded to match what he ate.

"I was wondering," she began, once she was done eating. "Do you have a gym or something around here?"

"You mean like a treadmill and stuff?"

"Anything that'll give me a workout."

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, moving back out of reach as she made to slap his arm.

"I'm serious Kevin, I need the exercise."

"So am I." He ducked too late to avoid the pillow she swung at his head.

Adie continued to smack him until he surrendered. "Okay, okay. A bunch of us get together to spar. It can get a little rough sometimes." He paused for a moment before adding, "I can ask some of the women if they would spar with you if you want?"

She smiled wickedly. "Yeah, that'll be good and when I'm warmed up I can kick some male chauvinist ass." She smacked him with the pillow again. "Where and when?"

"Usually around three-ish. I'll come get you at say quarter to?" He glanced at his watch and stood. "It's just after two now, I'll get changed and be back in a half hour."

He lent down to kiss her, she moved back out of reach. "Thanks, I'll see you then." He looked so crestfallen she let out an involuntary chuckle. "Put your dancing shoes on cause you and I are going to tango."

She took a fighting stance, fisting her hands, and tapped him lightly on the arm with mock punches. His face brightened, the smile reaching his eyes as he turned and left her to change clothes.

Exactly twenty-nine minutes later, Adie hobbled with one trainer still in her hand to open the door at his knock. The first thing she noticed was the lump on his head or lack of lump to be more precise.

"We heal fast," he answered her questioning look. "Ready to rumble?"

"Absolutely." She took his offered elbow, twinning her arm through it as they left the house.

A large barn like building housed the makeshift arena they used to spar. Benches cluttered with bags and towels lined the walls. Maybe forty men and women stood around chatting loudly, catching up on the gossip. Everyone suddenly went quiet as they entered, a wave of silence wiping out all conversation.

"Guys, this is Adie," he addressed the room, pulling her beside him. "She's going to be joining us from now on."

A group of women approached them, led by Bonnie, the girl who loaned Adie the swimsuit.  They enveloped her in a group hug.

"How the hell did you manage to get them to let us in here?" Bonnie asked in awe. "It's been a male only zone for as long as I can remember."

Adie shrugged and glanced at Kevin for an answer. He blushed and reluctantly waved her off. "They've set up an area at the back for you girls." 

"Whoo hoo," Bonnie cried, fist punching the air. "Shall we go warm up ladies? Becca, would you start the music," she asked. Leaning closer to Adie, she mock whispered, "Let's show these goons what we're made of."

The women ranged in age from mid-teens to early forties, all lithe and fit, their muscular limbs on show. Becca switched the portable stereo on and Kernkraft by Zombie Nation filled the room.  They lined up with their backs to the main room, Bonnie taking the position opposite and facing them.

She clapped her hands a few times in beat to the music, swaying her hips as she did. "Follow me girls," she shouted, "Good, now circle." She rotated her hips. "Step two to the left... Two right... march for four... Again," Bonnie instructed, she then set them through the stretches to loosen their muscles. The instructions continued, increasing in pace with the music, adding bounce to the steps as the songs changed. Before long, they were all panting lightly.

"Excellent, get a drink and pair off with your sparing partners, Adie you're with me for this one."

Adie caught the bottle of water someone tossed in her direction and took a long pull from the sport top. She watched as the women shook hands, taking up a fighting stances, feet apart and fists loosely clenched. Punches and kicks rained fast and furiously around her. Even with the music pumping in the background she could hear the sound of flesh meeting flesh as blows were blocked and returned. She scanned the room looking for Kevin and spotted him wrestling with a man twice his size.

"Impressive isn't he?" Bonnie asked, drawing Adie's attention back to her. "You ready to show us what you got?"

They shook hands and Adie bowed her head. The first blow came quickly, a punch aimed for her face, which she managed to dodge. Another followed by another, so fast Adie had little time to block them never mind hit back. A kick connected with her stomach, knocking the wind from her for a second. She flung herself backwards to avoid the boot approaching her head. Grabbing the foot by the ankle, she pushing it up, she aimed a fist for her opponents supporting leg, catching her hard mid-thigh.

Bonnie collapsed as her leg went dead from the force of the punch. Sweeping her arm out, she tried to catch Adie and pull her down with her, but Adie was too quick and jumped out of the way. She threw the foot she held to the side, spinning Bonnie on her ass to face the other way.

Kevin appeared at her side, reaching down to help Bonnie to her feet. "Nice moves," he praised over the loud applause that erupted behind them.

Bonnie staggered when she put weight on her leg, cringing with the pain. Becca and another girl rushed to her aide and helped her to the nearest bench. Adie joined them. Kneeling on the floor in front of Bonnie, she put her hand on her thigh and called for a little earth power. The trickle of energy caused a tingle as healing warmth radiated through the injured area.

Bonnie gasped, her awe filled gaze staring at Adie. "Oh my God, you're a Shaman?" she whispered. "Forgive me, I had no idea."

Adie frowned in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm not the Shaman, I haven't seen her since Devon kidnapped me from the caves."

"Your eyes, they glowed neon blue when you healed me." She covered Adie's hand with her own. "I would never have hurt you if I'd known, I swear."

"I need you to keep quiet about my eyes, I don't know what happened, but I'm certainly not the Shaman."

Bonnie nodded her promise.